Defense strikes back: NFL scoring falls to lowest level since 2017 – Axios

Data: Pro Football Reference; Chart: Axios VisualsTwo-thirds of the way through the NFL season, teams are averaging just 21.9 points per game — the lowest mark since 2017 and second-lowest since 2009.By the numbers: Scoring reached an all-time high of 24.8 points per game two years ago at the peak of the modern passing revolution, but defenses have started to adjust and stand their ground.Secondaries are clamping down on deep coverage to combat big plays that can score points in a hurry. To wit, teams’ 1.39 receiving TDs per game this season are the fewest since 2009.Red zone scoring percentage is at its lowest since 2017, with one league source attributing the decline to defenses stifling the run-pass option.Between the lines: Numerous linchpins of recent high-octane offenses have struggled this season.Tom Brady’s Bucs, Aaron Rodgers’ Packers and Matt Stafford’s Rams are averaging a combined 29.7 fewer points per game than last season.That’s to say nothing of Matt Ryan and Russell Wilson’s disastrous debuts in Indianapolis and Denver.
Read More